The Summer of Everything

This week marks the second anniversary of Foxwell Digital hitting the road in September 2013. Last year we celebrated with another road trip, this time through Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. This year, we’re celebrating in a different way. We’re staying put.

Whaaaat? The Foxwells plan to stay at home for more than two days at a time? Yes, really. Why? Well because the past few months have been what we’re affectionately calling The Summer of Everything.

Let’s recap. Since May, we’ve published a book; embarked on a 50 stop, 10 state book tour; bought a house; moved for the fourth time in three years; ramped up our business portfolio to average 10-15 clients per month; transitioned into an LLC; hired a new accountant and business coach (#blessed); oh and we also welcomed a new sister-in-law into the family and did six weeks of renovations on the “new” 101 year-old house. And those are just a few of the highlights.

So, yeah, it’s been a doozy of a summer. But in thinking more about it, our crazy summer mirrored most of our friends’ crazy summers. In truth, summers are no longer about lazy weekends at the lake or extended camping trips up north. Nowadays, summers are just real busy.

This isn’t to say we’re particularly proud of being “busy.” As a fellow social media marketer Chris Brogan explains, saying we’re “too busy” all the time might actually be a bad thing. As the driven, work-focused American millennials that we are, being busy is often used as a badge of honor. Saying something as simple as “oh we’ve been so busy, it’s just crazy!” to friends, colleagues, and family members, gives us the impression that all that busy-ness gives our lives real credibility or deeper meaning. When, in fact, being busy without an impactful purpose or a clear goal adds no lasting merit to your life or business.

A less busy business. That’s our goal.

So how are we getting there? We’ve grown Foxwell Digital, deepened our personal relationships, and improved our marriage by constantly reminding ourselves to do the opposite of being busy; yet it’s obviously an ongoing challenge. Before taking on new client work or saying yes to a conference or a travel opportunity, we try to ask ourselves “Is this us trying to be busy to feel important, or is this being busy because this action could truly help us or others?”

This question doesn’t always have an easy answer, but it’s worth it to continue to ask yourself, your spouse, or your business partner this question as often as possible. It certainly feels counterintuitive to say “yes” less and less. As entrepreneurs and business owners, we have to bring home the bacon…and the milk, cheese, contractor fees, mortgage, insurance…

But we also have to preserve ourselves, our sanity, plus our emotional and physical health. And with that in mind, we’re trying to say “no” to things more and more.